Senior Benefits Specialist

RealREPP is a nationally recognized, full-service recruitment firm who has teamed up with a growing, stable, and dynamic MEP Design Build Construction firm to assist them in hiring a Senior Benefits Specialist in Garden Grove, CA.

Position Summary

The Senior Benefits Specialist serves as a subject matter expert and strategic partner in the design, implementation, and administration of employee benefits programs. This role goes beyond traditional benefits management to include financial planning, program cost modeling, and oversight of self-insured programs. The incumbent provides strategic recommendations to senior leadership, develops innovative benefits solutions, ensures regulatory compliance, and manages vendor and broker relationships to maximize value and sustainability of programs for both employees and the company.

FANTASTIC All-in Compensation Package That Includes

• EXCELLENT salary DOE + bonus
• 401(k) w/ 50% MATCH, NO CAP & IMMEDIATE vesting
• 100% paid medical, dental & vision
• Generous PTO days
• Gym membership + discounted cell phone
• Continued career growth & work-life balance
• FSA, HSA, life & disability insurance, and MORE!
  
  
  

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Program Management

• Lead the design, financial modeling, and deployment of self-insured health, dental, and other benefits programs, including stop-loss coverage, claims management, and reserve funding strategies.
• Develop and manage long-term benefits financial plans, including multi-year cost forecasting, trend analysis, and funding models.
• Benchmark programs against industry standards and competitors to ensure market competitiveness, sustainability, and alignment with company goals.
• Provide quarterly and annual reporting to executive leadership with recommendations to balance cost management and employee value.
  
  
  

Benefits Administration & Compliance

• Oversee administration of retirement plans, including 401(k) (traditional and Roth), ensuring compliance with ERISA, IRS, and Department of Labor regulations.
• Manage discrimination testing, annual audits, fiduciary requirements, and compliance filings.
• Ensure benefits programs remain compliant with federal and state laws, including ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other relevant regulations.
• Lead benefits integration during mergers, acquisitions, or divestitures.
  
  
  

Vendor, Broker, and Employee Engagement

• Negotiate and manage relationships with brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators to ensure optimal pricing, service levels, and employee support.
• Serve as the primary liaison between employees and vendors for complex escalations, disputes, or appeals.
• Lead open enrollment communications and educational campaigns, including presentations, guides, and digital resources.
• Develop strategies to enhance employee understanding of benefits and improve utilization of wellness and preventive care programs.
  
  
  

Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise and mentor benefits team members to deliver high-quality service and career development.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Accounting, and Legal to align benefit strategies with business objectives.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to align benefits with broader total rewards and people strategy.
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of self-insured benefits programs and related stop-loss, reserve funding, and claims analysis.
• Strong financial planning and cost modeling skills; ability to analyze large datasets and present clear insights.
• Deep understanding of retirement and health insurance programs, including compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and COBRA.
• Excellent vendor negotiation and contract management skills.
• Ability to communicate complex legal, financial, and insurance-related information in clear terms.
• Proven leadership, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
  
  
  

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in benefits administration and financial program management.
• Demonstrated experience designing and managing self-insured benefits programs.
• CEBS, CBP, or similar professional designation strongly preferred.
• Construction, engineering, or related industry experience is a plus.
• We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.*